Here in Summit County, Colorado, there’s a powerful movement reshaping how locals think about their everyday purchases. We live at a crossroads – where big-box convenience and local support collide, and where every dollar spent makes a huge difference.
The Summit Chamber of Commerce’s “Be Local” initiative is a concerted, local effort to preserve the unique character of our mountain communities while building economic resilience from the ground up.
As economic uncertainties persist and communities struggle to maintain their distinctive identities, there’s never been a stronger case for supporting local businesses. So how can you play your part?
What is the “Be Local” Initiative?
The Be Local program represents a year-round commitment to strengthening Summit County’s economy.
The program encourages residents and visitors to support independent businesses across all sectors, from retail shops and restaurants to service providers and entertainment venues.
Why the effort on local shopping? Because when you shop at corporate stores, over half of your dollars leave the community.
When you support local businesses, that money continues circulating through Summit County – creating jobs, funding public services, and helping protect the mountain town character that drew residents here in the first place.
Beyond Simple Shopping Choices
Be Local isn’t just about occasional shopping choices. It goes further, incorporating community-building campaigns to draw attention to the need to go local.
Some of the initiatives include:
- Reusable bags featuring local business logos for each town
- Community gift cards that work at participating merchants throughout the county
- Targeted campaigns like “Pour Into Summit” that support independent liquor stores affected by recent legislative changes.
Through Be Local, the Chamber has built a comprehensive ecosystem of support that makes choosing local both convenient and rewarding.
The Benefits of Supporting Local Businesses
An Economic Impact That Stays Home
Let’s go back to the math.
When you spend money at locally-owned businesses, between 52% and 79% of that revenue stays within the community, compared to just 14% to 30% at national chains.
This creates what economists call the “multiplier effect.” Each dollar spent locally circulates through the community 6 to 15 times before leaving. As it circulates, that money is supporting other local businesses, employees, and services.
Summit County already deals with the volatility of seasonal tourism, so this circulation of local dollars provides crucial stability.
If Summit County residents shifted just 10% of their spending from chains to local businesses, it could generate thousands of new jobs and millions in additional local income.
Job Creation and Community Prosperity
We all know that local businesses form the backbone of employment in Summit County.
But did you know that small businesses nationally generate approximately two-thirds of new jobs?
Plus, locally-owned establishments consistently demonstrate a stronger commitment to their communities. They donate twice as much to local charities as chains, sponsor youth sports teams, and support local nonprofits.
When you support a local business, you’re directly investing in the social fabric that makes Summit County special.
The ripple effects go farther than you might expect. Local business owners hire local accountants, use local banks, advertise in local media, and purchase from other area businesses.
This web of relationships builds resilience that helps communities weather economic downturns and adapt to changing conditions.
Environmental Sustainability
In our mountain communities, the environmental benefits of shopping local carry particular weight. Fortunately, local purchasing dramatically reduces transportation distances and packaging waste.
Products don’t need to travel thousands of miles through complex distribution networks to reach local shelves. Local restaurants sourcing from nearby farms and producers offer fresher ingredients while minimizing carbon footprints.
Preserving Community Character
What makes you stay in Summit County? For many, it’s the unique character created by independent businesses.
- In this local coffee shop, baristas know your name and usual order.
- At the boutique, you’ll find original products from local artisans.
- The family-owned restaurant serves recipes that have been passed down through generations.
These businesses create the distinctive sense of place that differentiates Frisco from Breckenridge, Silverthorne from Dillon.
Without them, mountain towns risk becoming interchangeable strips of chain stores, and we risk losing the authentic character that makes them worth visiting and living in.
The Numbers Show the Shift is Possible
Recent stats are showing a growing national recognition of local businesses’ importance.
75% percent of Americans cite supporting the local economy as their primary reason for shopping local. 37% of shoppers will choose local businesses even when it’s less convenient or more expensive.
The generational data proves particularly encouraging. Nearly 80% of millennials and over 70% of Gen Z consumers identify buying locally as a post-pandemic priority.
The younger generations have shown that they see how their purchasing decisions directly impact the communities they want to build and maintain.
Getting Involved with “Be Local”
Participation in the Be Local movement is easy – if you know how to get started!
The Summit Chamber provides plenty of ways to engage:
- Purchase community gift cards for teachers, coaches, or as holiday gifts
- Use reusable bags featuring local business logos
- Explore the Chamber’s member directory to discover new local options
- Attend community events that showcase local businesses
- Spread the word about the importance of local support through social media and personal conversations.
For business owners, the Chamber offers resources, networking opportunities, and marketing support to help local enterprises thrive.
Building Summit County’s Future, One Purchase at a Time
At the Chamber, we believe in a future for Summit County where mountain town character thrives alongside economic prosperity.
Every purchase decision you make becomes an opportunity to invest in this vision. So, are you ready to make the switch and Be Local?
The power to maintain vibrant, distinctive local communities rests largely in our daily choices. The question isn’t whether to support local businesses, but how quickly we can accelerate this vital shift.
The time to act is now, and the power lies in your wallet. Choose local. Be local.
Build the community you want to live in – and Summit County Chamber of Commerce will help make it happen!
